Waterproofing membrane with mineral binder component

ABSTRACT

A membrane used in waterproofing, roofing and tunneling applications, the membrane includes a barrier layer including thermoplastic polymer component and a contact layer bonded directly to at least portion of the barrier layer, the contact layer includes a mixture of mineral binder component, thermoplastic polymer component, and surfactant component. Also includes a method for producing the membrane, a method for waterproofing a substrate, to a waterproofed construction, to a method for sealing a substrate against water penetration and to a sealed construction for sealing a substrate against water penetration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to waterproofing membranes for use in the construction industry, for example for basements, roofing and tunneling applications to protect concrete structures against water penetration.

BACKGROUND ART

Waterproofing membranes are commonly used in the construction industry for sealing bases, underground surfaces or buildings against water penetration.

State-of-the-art waterproofing membranes are multilayer systems comprising a polymer-based barrier layer as the principal layer to provide watertightness. Typical polymers used in barrier layers include thermoplastics such as plasticized polyvinylchloride (p-PVC) and thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) or elastomers such as ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and crosslinked chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE). One of the drawbacks of polymer-based barrier layers is their poor bonding properties; they typically show low bonding strength to adhesives that are commonly used in the construction industry, such as epoxy adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, and cementitious compositions. Therefore, a contact layer, for example, a fleece backing, is typically used to provide sufficient bonding of the polymer-based barrier layer and the structure to be waterproofed.

In waterproofing applications, the membrane is typically post-applied to an existing concrete structure. In this case the membrane is bonded with an adhesive or a sealing tape via its contact layer to the surface of the concrete structure to be waterproofed. In pre-applied waterproofing applications, however, the membrane is laid out before the concrete structure to be waterproofed is built. In this case, the membrane is placed with its barrier layer against an underlying structure or formwork and fresh concrete is then cast against the surface of the contact layer, thereby fully and permanently bonding the membrane to the surface of the hardening concrete.

In pre-applied waterproofing applications, typically an adhesive is used, to bond the barrier layer to the contact layer and to the fresh concrete cast against the contact layer. The adhesive should also enable the fresh concrete to penetrate deeply into to contact layer before hardening in order to provide high resistance to penetrating water.

One of the main challenges related to the multilayer waterproofing membranes is to ensure watertightness after infiltration in case of leak in the barrier layer. Watertightness after infiltration means in general that the sealing construction should be able to prevent the infiltrated water from penetrating to the space between the membrane and the waterproofed surface. A leak in the barrier layer can be a result of inward growing tree roots, material failure or tensile or shear forces directed to the membrane. If the watertightness after infiltration is lost, water is able to flow laterally underneath the membrane and to invade the interior of the building structure. In such cases the exact location of the leak in the barrier layer is also difficult to detect.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,793,862B2 describes a waterproofing membrane comprising a barrier layer, a composite layer arranged on one side of the barrier layer and a network of sealant between the barrier layer and the composite layer. The network of sealant is said to limit the size of area affected by penetrating water in case of water leakage in the barrier layer. In waterproofing applications the membrane is applied on a subsurface in such way that the barrier layer is directed against a concrete base and the composite layer is facing the concrete casted against the membrane. During the hardening process, the composite layer is penetrated by the liquid concrete forming a good bond with the hardened concrete.

US2015/0231863A1 discloses a waterproofing membrane including a barrier layer and a functional layer including a thermoplastic polymer that changes consistency under influence of highly alkaline media and an adhesive. Once the functional layer gets into contact with liquid concrete, the thermoplastic polymer dissolves and allows the adhesive to bond to the cast concrete. The functional layer may additionally comprise other thermoplastic polymers, fillers or concrete constituents. The construction of the functional layer is said to enable working with membranes in adverse weather conditions without diminishing the adhesive capacity of the membrane.

One disadvantage of state-of-the-art multilayer waterproofing membranes is related to the use of adhesives, which increases the complexity of the membrane build-up and consequently the production costs of such membranes. The adhesive has to provide good binding to the low surface energy polymers in the barrier layers, form a strong bond to the contact layer and to fresh concrete and have a good resistance to varying temperature ranges, UV irradiation and oxidation. Adhesives fulfilling all the requirements, if available at all, are expensive and thus increase the production cost of such membranes by a significant amount.

Another disadvantage of state-of-the-art multilayer waterproofing membranes is related to the use of fleece backings as contact layer to provide sufficient bonding between the membrane and the substrate to be waterproofed. In waterproofing and roofing applications the adjacent membrane sheets have to be homogenously joined to each other in a reliable way to ensure watertightness of the sealing construction. Membranes having a fleece backing cannot be joined by heat welding but instead the edges of the membranes have to be bonded together either with an adhesive or with a sealing tape adhered on top of the seam and/or under the seam. The use of an adhesive or a sealing tape to join adjacent membrane sheets complicates the installation process and increases application costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a simplified membrane, which can be used to protect surfaces against water penetration, for example in basement waterproofing, roofing and tunneling applications, and which fully and permanently bonds to concrete and other cementitious compositions cast onto the membrane after hardening, as well as to adhesives commonly used in the construction industry.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a membrane, which retains watertightness after infiltration in case of a leaking barrier layer.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a membrane, which has good heat welding properties and good stability against mechanical stresses.

According to the invention, the aforementioned objectives are achieved with the membrane according to claim 1.

The main concept of the invention is that the membrane comprises a thermoplastic barrier layer and a contact layer bonded to at least a portion of the barrier layer, wherein the contact layer comprises a mixture of a mineral binder component, a thermoplastic polymer component, and a surfactant component.

The properties of the contact layer enable the membrane to be fully bonded to cementitious compositions after hardening as well as to adhesives commonly used in the construction industry. It has been found by the inventors of the present invention that the presence of the surfactant component in the contact layer increases the strength of adhesion by which the contact layer is bonded to cementitious compositions.

Without being bound by any theory it is believed that the presence of surfactants in the contact layer eases the “waterflow” through the percolated binder cavities in the polymer matrix, which enables partial hydration of the binder particles in the contact layer and formation adhesion through hardening of the mineral binder component.

One of the advantages of the membrane is its simple build-up, which enables lower production costs compared to state-of-the-art membranes while still providing full and permanent bonding to cementitious compositions and watertightness after infiltration.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the membrane has good heat welding properties, which means that adjacent membranes can be homogeneously joined by heat welding instead of using an adhesive or a sealing tape to bond overlapping membrane sheets.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for producing a membrane of the present invention, a method for waterproofing a substrate, a waterproofed construction, a method for sealing a substrate and a sealed arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a membrane having a barrier layer and a contact layer

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a membrane of the present invention having a barrier layer and two contact layers

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “polymer” designates a collective of chemically uniform macromolecules produced by a polyreaction (polymerization, polyaddition, polycondensation) where the macromolecules differ with respect to their degree of polymerization, molecular weight and chain length. The term also comprises derivatives of said collective of macromolecules resulting from polyreactions, that is, compounds which are obtained by reactions such as, for example, additions or substitutions, of functional groups in predetermined macromolecules and which may be chemically uniform or chemically non-uniform.

The term “polymer component” designates polymer compositions comprising one or more polymers.

The term “melting point” designates the maximum of the curve determined according to ISO 11357 standard by means of dynamic differential calorimetry (DSC). At the melting point the material undergoes transition from the solid to the liquid state. The measurement can be performed with a Mettler Toledo 822e device at a heating rate of 2 degrees centigrade/min. The melting point values can be determined from the measured DSC curve with the help of the DSC software.

The term “surfactant” designates surface tension lowering substances. Surfactants are usually organic compounds containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. Based on the charge of the hydrophilic group the surfactants are classified to anionic, cationic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants.

By calcium carbonate as mineral filler is understood in the present document calcitic fillers produced from chalk, limestone or marble by grinding and/or precipitation.

The term “sand” designates mineral clastic sediments (clastic rocks) which are loose conglomerates (loose sediments) of round or angular small grains, which were detached from the original grain structure during the mechanical and chemical degradation and transported to their deposition point, said sediments having an SiO₂ content of greater than 50 wt.-%, in particular greater than 75 wt.-%, particularly preferably greater than 85 wt.-%.

The term “mineral binder” designates a binder, which in the presence of water reacts in a hydration reaction under formation of solid hydrates or hydrate phases. In particular, the term “mineral binder” refers to non-hydrated mineral binders, i.e. mineral binders, which have not been mixed with water and reacted in a hydration reaction.

The term “hydraulic binder” designates substances that harden as a result of chemical reactions with water (“hydration reactions”) and produce hydrates that are not water-soluble. In particular, the hydration reactions of the hydraulic binder take essentially place independently of the water content. This means that hydraulic binders can harden and retain their strength even when exposed to water, for example underwater or under high humidity conditions. Examples of hydraulic binders include cement, cement clinker and hydraulic lime. In contrast, “non-hydraulic binders” such as air-slaked lime (non-hydraulic lime) and gypsum, are at least partially water soluble and must be kept dry in order to retain their strength.

The term “gypsum” designates any known form of gypsum, in particular calcium sulfate dehydrate, calcium sulfate α-hemihydrate, calcium sulfate β-hemihydrate, or calcium sulfate anhydrite or mixtures thereof.

The term “latent hydraulic binders” designates particular type II concrete additives with latent hydraulic character according to DIN EN 206-1:2000. These materials are calcium aluminosilicates that are not able to harden directly or harden too slowly when mixed with water. The hardening process is accelerated in the presence of alkaline activators, which break the chemical bonds in the binder's amorphous (or glassy) phase and promote the dissolution of ionic species and the formation of calcium aluminosilicate hydrate phases. Examples of latent hydraulic binders include granulated blast furnace slag.

The term “pozzolanic binders” designates in particular type II concrete additives with pozzolanic character according to DIN EN 206-1:2000. These materials are siliceous or aluminosilicate compounds that react with water and calcium hydroxide to form calcium silicate hydrate or calcium aluminosilicate hydrate phases. Pozzolanic binders include natural pozzolans such as trass and artificial pozzolans such as fly ash and silica fume.

The term “cement” designates ground hydraulic binders, which apart from the hydraulic binders as the main constituents, usually contain small quantities of calcium sulfate (gypsum and/or hemihydrate and/or anhydrite), and optionally secondary constituents and/or cement additives such as grinding aids. The main constituents are contained in quantities of more than 5% by weight. The main constituents can be Portland cement clinker, also referred to as clinker or cement clinker, slag sand, natural or artificial pozzolans, fly ash, for example, siliceous or calcareous fly ash, burnt shale, limestone and/or silica fume. As secondary constituents, the cements can contain up to 5% by weight of finely divided inorganic, mineral substances, which originate from clinker production.

The term “cementitious composition” designates concrete, shotcrete, grout, mortar, paste or a combination thereof. The terms “paste”, “mortar”, “concrete”, “shotcrete”, and “grout” are well-known terms in the state-of-the-art. Pastes are mixtures comprising a hydratable cement binder, usually Portland cement, masonry cement, or mortar cement. Mortars are pastes additionally including fine aggregate, for example sand. Concrete are mortars additionally including coarse aggregate, for example crushed gravel or stone. Shotcrete is concrete (or sometimes mortar) conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface. Grout is a particularly flowable form of concrete used to fill gaps. The cementitious compositions can be formed by mixing required amounts of certain components, for example, a hydratable cement, water, and fine and/or coarse aggregate, to produce the particular cementitious composition.

The term “fresh cementitious composition” or “liquid cementitious composition” designates cementitious compositions before hardening, particularly before setting.

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a membrane comprising a barrier layer S1 having a first and a second opposing surface and a contact layer S2 having a first and a second opposing surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the barrier layer S1 and the second surface of the contact layer S2 are directly bonded to each other, and wherein the barrier layer S1 comprises a thermoplastic polymer component P1 and the contact layer S2 comprises a mixture of a mineral binder component B, a thermoplastic polymer component P2, and a surfactant component SF.

The barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2 are typically sheet-like elements having first and second surfaces defined by peripheral edges. The second surface of the contact layer can be bonded to at least a portion of first surface of the barrier layer or across the entire first surface of the barrier layer. Preferably the second surface of the contact layer is bonded across the entire surface of the barrier layer.

The first surface of the barrier layer S1 is directly bonded to the second surface of the contact layer S2. The expression “directly bonded” is understood to mean that no further layer or substance is present between the layers, and that the two layers are directly bonded to each other or adhere to each other. At the transition area between the two layers, the materials forming the layers can also be present mixed with each other.

One embodiment of the membrane of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, which shows a cross-section of a membrane consisting of a barrier layer S1 having a first and a second opposing surface and a contact layer S2 having a first and a second opposing surface.

The thermoplastic polymer component P may have a Young's modulus measured according to ISO 527-3 standard at a temperature of 23° C. of not more than 1000 MPa, more preferably not more than 750 MPa, even more preferably not more than 500 MPa, most preferably not more than 450 MPa. In particular, the thermoplastic component P may have a Young's modulus measured according to ISO 527-3 standard at a temperature of 23° C. in the range from 50 to 1000 MPa, preferably from 50 to 750 MPa, more preferably from 100 to 750 MPa, most preferably from 100 to 700 MPa. Contact layers containing a thermoplastic polymer component P having a Young's modulus at the above mentioned ranges were found to provide good concrete adhesion strengths.

Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 has a Young's modulus measured according to ISO 527-3 at a temperature of 23° C. of less than 100 MPa, preferably less than 50 MPa, more preferably less than 25 MPa, most preferably less than 10 MPa. Contact layers with the thermoplastic polymer component P2 having Young's modulus at the above mentioned ranges were found to have particularly good concrete adhesion strength.

The mineral binder component B is preferably dispersed throughout, preferably uniformly, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 in the contact layer S2 to ensure that the properties of the contact layer do not change considerably along the length of the layer.

The mineral binder component B is preferably present in the contact layer S2 as a discontinuous particle based phase, which is dispersed in a continuous phase of the thermoplastic polymer component P2.

The glass transition temperature (T_(g)) of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 is preferably below the temperatures occurring during the use of the membrane. It is therefore preferred that the T_(g) of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 is below 0° C., more preferably below −15° C., most preferably below −30° C.

The term “glass transition temperature” refers to the temperature measured with DSC according to ISO 11357 standard above which temperature a polymer component becomes soft and pliable, and below which it becomes hard and glassy. The measurements can be performed with a Mettler Toledo 822e device at a heating rate of 2 degrees centigrade/min. The T_(g) values can be determined from the measured DSC curve with the help of the DSC software.

The amount of the mineral binder component B in the contact layer should be high enough to enable sufficient strength of adhesion by which the contact layer is bonded to cementitious compositions. On the other hand, increasing the amount of the mineral binder component B also increases the stiffness of the contact layer, which may make the membrane unsuitable for certain sealing applications.

The amount of the mineral binder component B can be 10.0-90.0 wt.-% based on the total weight of the contact layer S2. Preferably, the amount of the mineral binder component B is 20.0-85.0 wt.-%, more preferably 25.0-80.0 wt.-%, most preferably 30.0-75.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2. Particularly, the amount of the mineral binder component B can be 35.0-75.0 wt.-%, preferably 40.0-70.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

In waterproofing applications, one of the most important characteristics of a membrane is the strength of adhesion by which the membrane is bonded to the substrate, for example a concrete surface, to be sealed against water penetration. In case the strength of adhesion is too low, gaps are more easily formed between the membrane and the surface of the substrate, which may lead to loss of watertightness after infiltration.

Preferably, the membrane has a concrete adhesion strength of at least 5 N/50 mm, more preferably of at least 10 N/50 mm, even more preferably of at least 15 N/50 mm, most preferably of at least 20 N/50 mm. In particular, the membrane has concrete adhesion strength of at least 30 N/50 mm, preferably of at least 35 N/50 mm, more preferably of at least 40 N/50 mm, even more preferably of at least 45 N/50 mm, most preferably of at least 50 N/50 mm.

Preferably, the membrane has concrete adhesion strength in the range of 5-400 N/50 mm, more preferably of 10-350 N/50 mm, even more preferably of 15-300 N/50 mm, most preferably of 20-250 N/50 mm.

The term “concrete adhesion strength of a membrane” refers to the average peel resistance [N/mm] per unit width of the membrane upon peeling the membrane from a surface of a concrete specimen, which has been casted on the surface of the contact layer and hardened for 28 days under standard atmosphere (air temperature 23° C., relative air humidity 50%).

In the context of the present invention, the concrete adhesion strength of a membrane is determined using the measurement method described below.

Method for Determining the Concrete Adhesion Strength of a Membrane

For the measurement of the average peel resistance, a concrete test specimen having a sample of the test membrane adhered on its surface is first prepared.

A sample membrane with a dimension of 200 mm (length)×50 mm (width) is first cut from the test membrane. One edge of the sample membrane on the side of the contact layer is covered with an adhesive tape having a length of 50 mm and a width coinciding with the width of the sample membrane to prevent the adhesion to the hardened concrete. The adhesive tapes are used to provide easier installation of the concrete test specimens to the peel resistance testing apparatus. The sample membrane is placed into a formwork having a dimension of 200 mm (length)×50 mm (width)×30 mm (height) with the contact layer of the sample membrane facing upwards and the barrier layer against the bottom of the formwork.

For the preparation of the concrete specimen, a fresh concrete formulation is prepared by mixing 46.3 wt.-% of sand having a particle size of 0-1 mm, 7.1 wt.-% of Nekafill-15 (from KFN) concrete additive (limestone filler), 32.1 wt.-% of OEM 142.5 N cement (preferably Holcim Normo 4), 14.3 wt.-% of water and 0.2 wt.-% of Viscocrete® PC-2 solution (from Sika) in a cement mixer for five minutes. The dry components of the concrete formulation are mixed and homogenized for two minutes in a tumbling mixer before blending with the liquid components.

The formwork containing the sample membrane is subsequently filled with the fresh concrete formulation and vibrated for two minutes to release the entrapped air. After hardening for one day the concrete specimen is stripped from the formwork and stored under standard atmosphere (air temperature 23° C., relative air humidity 50%) for 28 days before measuring the average peel resistance.

The average peel resistance upon peeling the sample membrane from the surface of the concrete specimen is measured using a Zwick Roell AllroundLine Z010 material testing apparatus equipped with a Zwick Roell 90°-peeling device or using a similar testing apparatus fulfilling the requirements of the DIN EN 1372 standard.

In the peel resistance measurement, the concrete specimen is clamped with the upper grip of the material testing apparatus for a length of 10 mm at the end of the concrete specimen comprising the taped section of the sample membrane. Following, the sample membrane is peeled off from the surface of the concrete specimen at a peeling angle of 90° and at a constant cross beam speed of 100±10 mm/min. During the peel resistance measurement the distance of the rolls is preferably approximately 570 mm. The peeling of the sample membrane is continued until a length of approximately 140 mm of the sample membrane is peeled off from the surface of the concrete specimen. The average peel resistance is calculated as average peel force per unit width of the membrane [N/50 mm] during peeling over a length of approximately 70 mm thus excluding the first and last quarter of the total peeling length from the calculation.

Preferably, the mineral binder component B comprises at least one mineral binder selected from the group consisting of hydraulic, non-hydraulic, latent hydraulic, puzzolanic binders, and mixtures thereof. The mineral binder component B can further comprise inert substances such as sand, calcium carbonate, crystalline silicas, talc, pigments, and mixtures thereof.

The mineral binder component B preferably comprises a hydraulic binder, in particular cement or cement clinker. The mineral binder component B can further comprise latent hydraulic and/or pozzolanic binders, preferably slag and/or fly ash. In one advantageous embodiment, the mineral binder component B contains 5.0-50.0 wt.-%, preferably 5.0-40.0 wt.-%, more preferably 5.0-30.0 wt.-% of latent hydraulic and/or pozzolanic binders, preferably slag and/or fly ash and at least 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably at least 65.0 wt.-% of hydraulic binder, preferably cement or cement clinker.

Preferably, the mineral binder component B is a hydraulic binder, preferably cement.

The cement can be any conventional cement, for example, one in accordance with the five main cement types according to DIN EN 197-1: namely, Portland cement (OEM I), Portland composite cements (OEM II), blast-furnace cement (OEM III), pozzolan cement (OEM IV) and composite cement (OEM V). These main cement types are subdivided, depending on the amount added, into an additional 27 cement types, which are known to the person skilled in the art and listed in DIN EN 197-1. Naturally, all other cements that are produced according to another standard are also suitable, for example, according to ASTM standard or Indian standard. To the extent that reference is made here to cement types according to DIN standard, this naturally also relates to the corresponding cement compositions which are produced according to another cement standard.

The mineral binder component B is preferably in the form of finely divided particles, in order to obtain a contact layer with uniform surface properties. The term “finely divided particles” refers to particles, whose median particle size d₅₀ does not exceed 500 μm. The term median particle size d₅₀ refers to a particle size below which 50% of all particles by volume are smaller than the d₅₀ value.

The term “particle size” refers to the area-equivalent spherical diameter of a particle. The particle size distribution can be measured by laser diffraction according to the method as described in standard ISO 13320:2009. For determination of the particle size distribution, the particles are suspended in water (wet dispersion method). A Mastersizer 2000 device (trademark of Malvern Instruments Ltd, GB) can be used in measuring particle size distribution.

Preferably the median particle size d₅₀ of the mineral binder component B is 1.0-300.0 μm, more preferably 1.5-250.0 μm, even more preferably 2.0-200.0 μm, most preferably 2.0-150.0 μm.

Preferably, less than 40 wt-%, more preferably less than 30 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 20-wt.-%, most preferably less than 10 wt.-% of the particles of the mineral binder component B have a particle size of less than 5 μm and preferably less than 40 wt.-%, more preferably less than 30 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 20-wt.-%, most preferably less than 10 wt.-% of the particles of the mineral binder component B have a particle size of above 100 μm.

Preferably, the overall particle size of the mineral binder component B (of at least 98 percent of the particles) is below 250 μm, more preferably below 200 μm, even more preferably below 100 μm.

Preferably, the surfactant component SF comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of anionic surfactants include surfactants containing carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate or sulfonate groups, such as amino acid derivatives; fatty alcohol ether sulfates; fatty alcohol sulfates; soaps; alkylphenol ethoxylates; fatty alcohol ethoxylates; alkanesulfonates; olefinsulfonates; and alkyl phosphates.

Examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compounds, such as, for example, tetraalkylammonium salts; N,N-dialkylimidazoline compounds; dimethyldistearylammonium compounds, N-alkylpyridine compounds; and ammonium chlorides.

Amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants have both cationic and anionic centers attached to the same molecule. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include amphoteric electrolytes such as aminocarboxylic acis and betaines.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants include ethoxylates, such as, for example, ethoxylated adducts of alcohols, such as polyoxyalkylene polyols; amines; fatty acids; fatty acid amides; alkylphenols; ethanolamides; fatty amines; polysiloxanes; fatty acid esters; alkyl or alkylphenyl polyglycol ethers, such as, for example, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers; alkylglycosides; sugar esters; sorbitan esters; polysorbates or trialkylamine oxides; esters and amides of poly(meth)acrylic acids with polyalkylene glycols or aminopolyalkylene glycols, which at most may be tacked at one end with alkyl groups.

Polymeric surfactants can be divided into two groups of products. The first group includes comb or rake polymers where there is an organic polymeric chain with hydrophobic groups at regular intervals along the chain and hydrophilic groups at random or regular intervals along that chain. The second group of polymeric surfactants includes block co-polymers where there are blocks of hydrophobic groups (B) and blocks of hydrophilic groups (A) usually in A-B-A configuration. Certain polymeric surfactants such as ethylene oxide-propylene oxide co-polymer surfactants can also be classified as non-ionic surfactants.

Preferably, the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of glycerol monostearates, polycarboxylate ethers, polyether-modified polysiloxanes, polyalkylene oxide siloxanes, hydroxyethyl amines, erucamides, stearyl stearamides, alkali metal alkanesulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable commercially available glycerol monostearates include Dimodan HP (from Danisco).

Examples of suitable polycarboxylate ethers include polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizers (PCEs), which are composed by a methoxy-polyethylene glycol copolymer (side chain) grafted with methacrylic acid copolymer (main chain). Suitable commercially available polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizers include Viscocrete® Polymer PC-2, Viscocrete® Polymer RMC-2, and Cemerol® R-750 MC (from Sika).

Examples of suitable polyether-modified polysiloxanes include polyetherpolysiloxane copolymers. Suitable commercially available polyether-modified polysiloxanes include Tegostab B8870 (from Evonik).

Examples of suitable commercially available polyalkylene oxide siloxanes include Niax L-1500 (from Momentive).

Examples of suitable hydroxyethyl amines include bis(2-hydroxyethyl) amines, which are commercially available as Armostat 300 (from Akzo Nobel).

Examples of suitable commercially available erucamides and stearyl stearamides include Kemamide E180 and Kemamide S180 (from PMC Biogenix).

Examples of suitable alkali metal alkanesulfonates include sodium alkanesulfonates, which are commercially available as Armostat 3002 (from Akzo Nobel) and Loxiol 93P (from Emery Oleochemicals).

Examples of suitable commercially available alkylarylsulfonates include ZetaSphere 2300, 3100 and 3700 (from Airproducts).

Increasing the amount of the surfactant component SF increases the amount of hydrated cement grains in the contact layer, which enables stronger bonding of the contact layer with cementitious compositions. The surfactants, however, also have a tendency to migrate from the contact layer into the layer of cementitious composition applied on contact layer. In case the amount of surfactants is increased above a certain limit, the hydration of cement grains is inhibited in the cementitious composition. As a result, the contact layer is very weakly if at all bonded to the cementitious composition.

Preferably, the amount of the surfactant component SF is at least 0.1 wt.-%, in particular 0.1-15.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.5-15.0 wt.-%, more preferably 0.5-10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 0.5-5.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

Preferably, the surfactant component SF comprises at least one surfactant, preferably selected from the group consisting of glycerol monostearates, polycarboxylate ethers, polyether-modified polysiloxanes, polyalkylene oxide siloxanes, hydroxyethyl amines, erucamides, stearyl stearamides, alkali metal alkanesulfonates, and alkyl aryl sulfonates, and the amount of the surfactant component SF is 0.1-15.0 wt.-%, in particular 0.5-15.0 wt.-%, preferably 1.0-10.0 wt.-%, more preferably 1.5-5.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

Preferably, the surfactant component SF comprises at least two surfactants. It has been found that the concrete adhesion strength of the contact layer is further improved if the contact layer comprises at least two surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants, and polymeric surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the at least two surfactants are selected from a group consisting of glycerol monostearates, polycarboxylate ethers, polyether-modified polysiloxanes, polyalkylene oxide siloxanes, hydroxyethyl amines, erucamides, stearyl stearamides, alkali metal alkanesulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the surfactant component SF comprises at least two surfactants, preferably selected from a group consisting of glycerol monostearates, polycarboxylate ethers, polyether-modified polysiloxanes, polyalkylene oxide siloxanes, hydroxyethyl amines, erucamides, stearyl stearamides, alkali metal alkanesulfonates, and alkyl aryl sulfonates, and the amount of the surfactant component SF is 1.0-15.0 wt.-%, more preferably 2.0-10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 3.0-5.0, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

Increasing the amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 in the contact layer S2 improves the strength of adhesion between the barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2. However, increasing the amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 above a certain limit tends to also decrease the concrete adhesion strength of the membrane. The amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 in the contact layer is preferably 20.0-90.0 wt.-% based on the total weight of the contact layer.

In particular, the amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2 is 20.0-85.0 wt.-%, more preferably 30.0-80.0 wt.-%, even more preferably 35.0-75.0 wt.-%, most preferably 40.0-70.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

Any kind of thermoplastic polymer component is in principle suitable to be used in the contact layer S2. Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-α-olefin co-polymers, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyamides (PA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), polyisobutylene (PIB), and mixtures thereof.

Preferably the thermoplastic polymer component P2 comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-α-olefin co-polymers, and ethylene-propylene co-polymers.

The properties of the contact layer were found especially suitable when the thermoplastic polymer component P2 comprises at least one ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a content of a structural unit derived from vinyl acetate (hereinafter referred to as “vinyl acetate unit”) of at least 7.0 wt.-%, more preferably at least 20.0 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably at least 35.0 wt.-%.

Preferably, the at least one ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a content of vinyl acetate unit in the range from 7.0 wt.-% to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 7.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 7.0 to 70.0 wt.-%.

Preferably, the amount of the at least one ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymer is at least 5.0 wt.-%, more preferably at least 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably at least 15.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer component P2. In particular, the amount of the at least one ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymer is in the range from 5.0 wt.-% to 90.0 wt.-%, preferably from 10.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 80 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 70.0 wt.-%.

The amount of the at least one ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymer, preferably having a content of vinyl acetate unit of at least 7.0 wt.-%, more preferably at least 20.0 wt.-%, is preferably at least 30.0 wt.-%, more preferably at least 35.0 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 40.0 wt.-%, most preferably at least 50.0 wt.-%, based on the total amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2.

Typically, the contact layer S2 contains only small amounts of water before it is contacted with a fresh cementitious composition. Preferably, the amount of water in the contact layer S2 is less than 5.0 wt.-%, preferably less than 3.0 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 1.5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2. In particular, the amount of water in the contact layer S2 is less than 2.0 wt.-%, preferably less than 1.0 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 0.5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

The mineral binders in the contact layer should remain in substantially non-hydrated state at least until the contact layer is contacted with a composition containing water, such as fresh cementitious composition. Hydration of the mineral binder particles contained in the contact layer would decrease the flexibility and thus deteriorate the handling properties of the contact layer. It would also affect negatively the concrete adhesion strength of the contact layer. It has been found that the mineral binders contained in the contact layer remain in substantially non-hydrated if the contact layer is stored for several weeks at normal room temperature and relative humidity of 50%.

The contact layer S2 may comprise not more than 10.0 wt.-%, preferably not more than 5.0 wt.-% of hydrated mineral binders, based on the total weight of the contact layer. Preferably, the contact layer comprises not more than 3.0 wt.-%, more preferably not more than 1.5 wt.-%, even more preferably not more than 1.0 wt.-%, even more preferably not more than 0.5 wt.-%, most preferably not more than 0.1 wt.-% of hydrated mineral binders, based on the total weight of the contact layer S2.

In order to produce a contact layer S2 containing non-hydrated mineral binders, the mineral binder component B is preferably mixed with the thermoplastic polymer component P2 and the surfactant component SF in dry form, i.e. without being mixed with water. Mixing the mineral binder with water would result in initiation of the hydration reactions, which is not desired. The contact layer S2 is preferably obtained by melt-processing a composition containing the mineral binder component B, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 and the surfactant component SF to a homogenized melt, which is then extruded through a manifold or a flat die followed by cooling the extruded material between calender cooling rolls.

The homogenized melt is preferably obtained by melt-processing a composition comprising the mineral binder component B, the thermoplastic polymer component P2, and the surfactant component SF at a temperature, which is above the melting point of point of the thermoplastic polymer component P2. Preferably, the homogenized melt is substantially free of water. In particular, the amount of water in the homogenized melt is less than 5.0 wt.-%, preferably less than 2.5 wt.-%, more preferably less than 1.0 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 0.5 wt.-%, most preferably less than 0.1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the homogenized melt.

The second surface of the contact layer S2 is preferably non-tacky at normal room temperature (25° C.). Whether a surface of a specimen is tacky or not can be determined by pressing the surface with the thumb at a pressure of about 5 kg for 1 second and then trying to lift the specimen by raising the hand. In case the thumb does not remain adhered to the surface and the specimen cannot be raised up, the surface is considered to be non-tacky. In the context of membrane of the present invention, the “specimen” used in the tackiness test refers to a membrane having width of 10 cm and length of 20 cm.

Non-tackiness of the second surface of the contact layer S2 enables to produce membranes without release tapes (different surfaces of the membrane do not adhere to each), which would have to be removed and disposed of at the job site.

Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P1 is miscible with the thermoplastic polymer component P2.

More preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P1 is weldable with the thermoplastic polymer component P2. The polymer components being “weldable” with each other means here that a thermoplastic layer consisting of the thermoplastic polymer component P1 can be homogenously joined by heat welding with another thermoplastic layer consisting of the at least thermoplastic component P2.

According to one embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer component P1 and the thermoplastic polymer component P2 comprise at least common polymer. The thermoplastic polymer component P1 and the thermoplastic polymer component P2 can have the same composition.

The contact layer S2 can comprise, in addition to the mineral binder component B, the thermoplastic polymer component P2, and the surfactant component SF additives such as UV- and heat stabilizers, plasticizers, foaming agents, dyes, colorants, pigments, matting agents, antistatic agents, impact modifiers, flame retardants, and processing aids such as lubricants, slip agents, antiblock agents, and denest aids.

The content of the thermoplastic polymer component P1 in the barrier layer S1 is preferably at least 50.0 wt.-% based on the total weight of the barrier layer. More preferably the content of the thermoplastic polymer component P1 is at least 60.0 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 70.0 wt.-%, most preferably at least 80.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the barrier layer S1.

Any kind of thermoplastic polymer component is in principle suitable to be used in the barrier layer S1. The thermoplastic polymer component P1 preferably comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-α-olefin co-polymers, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyamides (PA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and polyisobutylene (PIB) and mixtures thereof.

The barrier layer S1 can comprise, additives and processing agents, such as fillers, UV and heat stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, biocides, flameproofing agents, antioxidants, pigment, such as for example titanium dioxide or carbon black, dyes, and colorants.

There are no particular restrictions for the thickness of the contact layer S2. However, membranes with contact layer thickness of above 50 mm are not practical in waterproofing applications and contact layers with a thickness of below 50 μm have been found to be difficult to produce with the desired mechanical properties. In particular, the contact layer S2 has a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, preferably of 0.1-75.0 mm, more preferably 0.1-25.0 mm, most preferably 0.1-10.0 mm. Preferably, the contact layer S2 has a thickness of 0.1-50.0 mm, preferably 0.2-10.0 mm, more preferably 0.3-5.0 mm, most preferably 0.4-2.0 mm. The thickness of the contact layer S2 is measured according to EN 1849-2.

It is preferable that the contact layer S2 has a certain flexibility to allow the membrane to be wound into rolls, typically during production, and then easily applied to a surface of a substrate. The inventors of the present invention, however, also found that membranes with a flexible contact layer have better concrete adhesion strength. Preferably, the contact layer S2 has a shear modulus at a temperature of 30° C. measured according to EN ISO 6721-2:2008 of less than 600 MPa, more preferably less than 200 MPa, and most preferably less than 100 MPa.

The contact layer S2 preferably has a mass per unit area of 100-10000 g/m2, more preferably of 200-6000 g/m2, even more preferably of 300-3000 g/m2. The mass per unit area is measured according to EN 1849-2 standard.

The density of the contact layer is preferably 0.25-3.00 g/cm³, particularly 0.30-2.75 g/cm³, more preferably 0.35-2.50 g/cm³, even more preferably 0.40-2.00 g/cm³, most preferably 0.50-1.50 g/cm³. The density of the contact layer is determined using the buoyancy method.

The thickness of the barrier layer S1 is not subjected to any particular restrictions. However, membranes with barrier layer thickness of above 15 mm and below 10 μm are usually not practical in waterproofing applications. The thickness of the barrier layer S1 is preferably in the range of 0.1-10.0 mm, more preferably 0.1-7.5 mm, most preferably 0.1-5.0 mm.

It is preferable that the barrier layer is in the form of a flexible plastic layer. This allows the membrane to be wound into rolls, typically during production, and then easily applied to a surface of a substrate. The inventors of the present invention, however, also have found that increasing the flexibility of the barrier layer has a positive effect to the concrete adhesion strength of the membrane. Preferably, the barrier layer S1 has a shear modulus at a temperature of 30° C. according to EN ISO 6721-2:2008 of less than 600 MPa, more preferably less than 500 MPa, and most preferably less than 250 MPa.

Preferably, wherein the contact layer S2 is weldable with the barrier layer S1. “Weldable” means here that the layers can be homogenously joined to each other by heat welding.

In case the membrane is applied as a waterproofing membrane, the barrier layer S1 should be as waterproof as possible and not to decompose or be mechanically damaged even under prolonged influence of water or moisture. Typically such barrier layer S1 shows:

impact resistance of 200-1500 mm measured according to EN 12691: 2005,

longitudinal and transversal tensile strength of at least 5 MPa at a temperature of 23° C. measured according to DIN ISO 527-3,

longitudinal and transversal elongation at break of at least 300% at a temperature of 23° C. measured according to DIN ISO 527-3,

water resistance at 0.6 bar for 24 hours measured according to EN 1928 B, and

maximum tear strength of at least 100 N measured according to EN 12310-2.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, which shows a cross-section of a membrane further comprising a second contact layer S2′ having a first surface and a second opposing surface, wherein at least a portion of the second surface of the barrier layer S1 and the first surface of the contact layer S2′ are directly bonded to each other, and wherein the second contact layer S2′ comprises a mixture of a mineral binder component B′, a thermoplastic polymer component P2′ and a surfactant component SF′.

Preferably, the mineral binder component B′ is dispersed throughout, preferably uniformly, the thermoplastic polymer component P2′ in the second contact layer S2′.

The contact layer S2′ is typically a sheet-like element having first and second surfaces defined by peripheral edges.

Preferably, the surfactant component SF′ comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

The amount of the mineral binder component B′ can be 10.0-90.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the second contact layer S2′. Preferably, the amount of the mineral binder component B′ is 20.0-85.0 wt.-%, more preferably 25.0-80.0 wt.-%, most preferably 30.0-75.00 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the second contact layer S2′.

Preferably the mineral binder component B′ comprises a hydraulic binder, preferably cement or cement clinker.

The thermoplastic polymer component P2′ is preferably miscible with the thermoplastic polymer component P1. More preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P2′ is weldable with the thermoplastic polymer component P1.

Preferably, the amount of the thermoplastic polymer component P2′ is 20.0-85.0 wt.-%, more preferably 30.0-80.0 wt.-%, even more preferably 35.0-75.0 wt.-%, most preferably 40.0-70.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the second contact layer S2′.

Any kind of thermoplastic polymer component is in principle suitable to be used in the second contact layer S2′. Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P2′ comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-α-olefin co-polymers, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyamides (PA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), polyisobutylene (PIB), and mixtures thereof.

Preferably the first contact layer S2 and the second contact layer S2′ have the same compositions.

Especially when the membrane is used for waterproofing of uneven concrete surfaces, it is necessary to ensure that the membrane is not broken due to the pressure of the concrete casted on the surface of the membrane or due to local stresses applied to the membrane stretched over concave parts of the surface.

Preferably, the membrane has a tensile strength at temperature of 23° C. measured according to standard DIN ISO 527-3 of at least 5 MPa, more preferably at least 10 MPa and a elongation at break at a temperature of 23° C. measured according to standard DIN ISO 527-3 of at least 100%, more preferably of at least 200%, most preferably of at least 300%.

Another important characteristic of membranes used in waterproofing applications is the watertightness after infiltration. Watertightness after infiltration describes the ability of the membrane to resist spreading of infiltrated water in the space between the membrane and the waterproofed surface or between the layers of the membrane after leakage in the barrier layer.

The watertightness after infiltration can be measured with a modified watertightness test based on the ASTM 5385 standard measurement method. In the modified watertightness test ASTM 5385M, a hole with a diameter of 10 mm is punched to the membrane, which is then adhered to a concrete slab. The watertightness of the punched membrane is tested with the same kind of apparatus as described in the original ASTM 5385 method. The water pressure inside the test apparatus is increased to a value between 0.25 and 7 bar and the test is continued for a specified time period. At the end of the test, the concrete slab is removed from the test apparatus and at least part of the membrane is peeled off from the concrete surface to determine, how far the water has invaded between the concrete surface and the membrane and/or between different layers of the membrane. In case only a small area, such as a circle with a diameter of 2.50 mm or less, near the hole is affected by water, the membrane is considered to be watertight after infiltration according to ASTM 5385M.

Preferably, the membrane is considered watertight after infiltration according to ASTM 5385M, when the test is conducted at a pressure of 7 bars and continued for 7 days.

Preferably, the interlayer peel strength of the contact layer S2 from the barrier layer S1 is at least 50 N/50 mm, more preferably at least 100 N/50 mm, most preferably at least 200 N/50 mm.

The term “interlayer peel strength” refers to the average peeling resistance (N) per 50 mm of the contact layer upon peeling the contact layer S1 from one edge at an angle of 180° from the barrier layer S2. The interlayer peel resistance is measured according to the T-peel resistance test according to ISO 1139 standard.

The preferences given above for the mineral binder components B and B′, for the thermoplastic polymer components P1, P2, P2′ and for the surfactant components SF and SF′ apply equally to all aspects of the invention.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a membrane, as it was described above in detail, is provided. The method for producing a membrane is not particularly limited and any conventional technology used for producing composite membranes comprising polymer based sheets and films can be used.

The membrane can be produced by extruding, calendering, compressing or casting processes.

Preferably, the method for producing a membrane comprises extruding and/or calendering and/or co-extruding a homogenized melt comprising the components of the contact layer S2 and a homogenized melt comprising the components of the barrier layer S1.

The homogenized melt comprising the components of the contact layer S2 can be obtained by melt-homogenizing a composition comprising the mineral binder component B, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 and the surfactant component SF in an extruder or kneader. The melt-homogenizing is preferably conducted at a temperature that is higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer component P2, typically at least 20° C. higher, preferably at least 30° C. higher. Preferably, the amount of water in the homogenized melt is less than 1.0 wt.-%, preferably less than 0.5 wt.-%, most preferably less than 0.1 wt.-%.

Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer component P2 is melt-processed in an extruder before the mineral binder component B is fed into the extruder through a side feeder. Some or all of the components of the composition can also be first mixed in a mixing device to obtain a dry blend, which is then fed into extruder or kneader. The components of the composition can also be first mixed in a compounding extruder to obtain pellets or granulates, which are then fed into extruder or kneader.

The homogeneous melt comprising the components of the barrier layer S1 can be obtained by melt-homogenizing a composition comprising the thermoplastic polymer component P1 in an extruder or a kneader.

The method for producing a membrane can comprise producing the barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2 in separate processes after which the layers are bonded to each other by lamination.

The barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2 can be produced by an extrusion process, which process comprises extruding homogenized melts comprising the components of the barrier and contact layers through a manifold or a flat, annular, slot or cast die, preferably through a manifold or a flat die and quenching the extruded web of material between calender cooling rolls. The thickness of the produced layers can be controlled by die lip adjustment and/or by adjusting the gap size between the cooling rolls. Any conventional extruder apparatus used for producing flat film sheet as described in “Kunststoff Verarbeitung” by Schwarz, Ebeling and Furth, 10^(th) Edition 2005, Vogel Buchverlag, paragraph 5.7.2 can be used in the extrusion process.

The barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2 can also be produced by a calendering process comprising passing the homogenized melts comprising the components of the respective layers between a series of calender rolls, in the course of which the homogenized melt is spread across the width of the rolls, stretched and finally cooled to the form of a film or sheet with defined thickness. The homogenized melt can be fed with an extruder to the top of the calendering section and into the gap between the first and second rolls. Preferably, the calendering section comprises at least four rolls. Any conventional calendering apparatus used for producing films or sheets from thermoplastic materials as described in “Kunststoff Verarbeitung” by Schwarz, Ebeling and Furth, 10^(th) Edition 2005, Vogel Buchverlag, chapter 3 can be used in the calendering process.

The produced barrier and contact layers can subsequently be bonded to each other by any conventional lamination technique, preferably by welding under the influence of pressure, preferably between calender rolls or by pressing with IR radiation.

The method for producing a membrane can be a co-extrusion-calendering process, in which process homogenized melts of compositions comprising the components of the barrier layer S1 and the contact layer S2, respectively, are simultaneously extruded as layers on top of each other followed by quenching the extruded double layer material web between calender cooling rolls.

The method for producing a membrane can also be a two-step process comprising a first step, in which a first layer, the barrier layer S1 or the contact layer S2, is produced followed by a second step, in which a homogenized melt comprising the components of the second layer is extruded through a manifold or a flat, annular, slot or cast die, preferably through a manifold or a flat die, on the surface of the first layer. The thus obtained double layer material construction is then cooled between cooling rolls of a calendering apparatus. The first layer can be produced by an extrusion-calendering process or by a calendering process as described above.

According to one embodiment, the method for producing a membrane comprises a first step of extruding a homogenized melt comprising the components of the contact layer S2 through a flat die of a first extrusion apparatus to obtain a contact layer S2 followed by a second step of extruding a homogenized melt comprising the components the barrier layer S1 through a flat die of a second extrusion apparatus to obtain a sheet like mass, which is welded together under the influence of pressure with the incoming contact layer S2 between two calender rolls.

Preferably, the method for producing a membrane comprises extruding a homogenized melt of a composition comprising the components of the contact layer S2 through a manifold or a flat die followed by passing the extruded material between calender rolls.

The optimal extrusion temperature depends on the composition of the contact layer S2 and on the desired throughput of the extrusion process. The extrusion temperature is preferably 80-250° C., more preferably 100-240° C., even more preferably 120-220° C., most preferably 140-200° C. The term “extrusion temperature” refers to the temperature of the molten material in the extruder die or manifold. Membranes having a contact layer produced by an extrusion-calendering process with an extrusion temperature within the above described temperature ranges were found to have particularly good concrete adhesion strengths.

Preferably, the extrusion pressure is 20.0-350.0 bar, more preferably 30.0-240 bar, even more preferably 35.0-200 bar, most preferably 40.0-130.0 bar. The term “extrusion pressure” refers to the pressure of the molten material inside the extruder just before the material enters the extruder die or manifold.

The gap size between the calender rolls can be wider than the thickness of the contact layer S2. For example, the gap size between the calender rolls can be 10%, 25%, 50%, or 75% wider than the thickness of the contact layer S2.

Preferably, the method for producing a membrane further comprises extruding a homogenized melt comprising the components of the barrier layer S1 through a manifold or a flat die on the surface of the contact layer S2 followed by passing the thus obtained double layer material web between calender rolls.

According to one embodiment, the method for producing a membrane comprises extruding and/or calendering and/or co-extruding a homogenized melt of a composition comprising the components of a barrier layer S1, a homogenized melt of a composition comprising the components of a first contact layer S2, and a homogenized melt of a composition comprising the components a second contact layer S2′.

The homogenized melt comprising the components of the second contact layer S2′ can be obtained by melt-homogenizing a composition comprising the mineral binder component B′, the thermoplastic polymer component P2′ and the surfactant component SF′ in extruder or kneader.

The homogenized melts comprising the components of the barrier layer S1 and the contact layers S2 and S2′ can further comprise typical additives used in extrusion and calendering processes such as internal lubricants, slip agents, antiblock agents, denest aids, oxidative stabilizers, melt strength enhancers. The homogenized melts can also further comprise other additives such as plasticizers, dyes, colorants, pigments, matting agents, antistatic agents, impact modifiers, and flame retardants.

According to one embodiment, the homogenized melts for the contact layers S2 and S2′ comprise, in addition to the mineral binder component B/B′ and the at least thermoplastic polymer component P2/P2′, at least one chemical or physical foaming agent and optionally at least one activator for the foaming agent. Examples of suitable chemical foaming agents include azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, benzenesulphonyl hydrazide, 4,4-oxybenzenesulphonyl semicarbazide, 4,4-oxybis(benzenesulphonyl hydrazide), diphenyl sulphone-3,3-disulphonyl hydrazide, p-toluenesulphonyl semicarbazide, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, diazoaminobenzene, diazoaminotoluene, hydrazodicarbonamide, diazoisobutyronitrile, barium azodicarboxylate and 5-hydroxytetrazole. Preferably, the foaming agent is sodium bicarbonate.

It has also been found that subjecting the contact layer to a washing step before contacting it with a fresh cementitious composition has a positive effect on the concrete adhesion strength especially in case the amount of the surfactant component SF/SF′ in the contact layer S2/S2′ is near the upper limit of the preferable range. Water can be used as a washing liquid in the washing step. The method for producing a membrane can further comprise subjecting the contact layer S2/S2′ to a washing step.

The method for producing a membrane can further comprise a post-treatment step such as brushing and/or sand blasting and/or plasma treatment, in particular air plasma treatment, to optimize the surface properties of the produced contact layer. The final product is preferably stored in the form of rolls.

In another aspect of the present invention a method for waterproofing a substrate is provided. The substrate can be any structural or civil engineering structure, which is to be sealed against moisture and water, such as a hardened concrete structure or a subsurface. The surface of the substrate can be oriented horizontally or not.

The method for waterproofing a substrate comprises steps of

-   -   applying a membrane according to the present invention to a         surface of a substrate such that the second surface of the         barrier layer S1 is directed against the surface of the         substrate,     -   casting a fresh cementitious composition on the first surface of         the contact layer S2, and     -   hardening the fresh cementitious composition.

Preferably, the fresh cementitious composition is a fresh concrete composition.

The casted cementitious composition after hardening can be part of a structure, in particular, an above-ground or underground structure, for example a building, garage, tunnel, landfill, water retention, pond, dike or an element for use in pre-fabricated constructions.

According to one embodiment, the method for waterproofing a substrate comprises steps of

-   -   applying a layer of adhesive on the surface of the substrate and         covering the layer of the adhesive with a membrane of the         present invention such that the second surface of the second         contact layer S2′ is brought in contact with the layer of         adhesive,     -   casting a fresh cementitious composition on the first surface of         the contact layer S2, and     -   hardening the layer of adhesive and the fresh cementitious         composition.

The adhesive can be a fresh cementitious composition or a synthetic resin based adhesive, such as epoxy based two-component adhesive or EVA-based adhesive, preferably a fresh cementitious composition.

The casted cementitious composition after hardening can be part of a structure, in particular, an above-ground or underground structure, for example a building, garage, tunnel, landfill, water retention, pond, dike or an element for use in pre-fabricated constructions.

In another aspect of the present invention a waterproofed construction for waterproofing a substrate against water penetration is provided. The waterproofed construction comprises a layer of concrete and a membrane according to the present invention arranged between the surface of the substrate and the layer of concrete such that the second surface of the barrier layer S1 is directed against the surface of the substrate and the first surface of the contact layer S2 is fully bonded to the surface of the layer of concrete.

The term “fully bonded” refers to two surfaces being adhesively joined over the full surface.

The substrate can be any structural or civil engineering structure, which is to be sealed against moisture and water, such as a hardened concrete structure or a subsurface.

According to one embodiment, the waterproofed construction for waterproofing a substrate against water penetration comprises a layer of concrete and a membrane according to the present invention arranged between the surface of the substrate and the layer of concrete such that the second surface of the second contact layer S2′ is directed against the surface of the substrate and the first surface of the contact layer S2 is fully bonded to the surface of the layer of concrete.

The substrate can be any structural or civil engineering structure, which is to be sealed against moisture and water, such as a hardened concrete structure or a subsurface.

In another aspect of the present invention a method for sealing a substrate against water penetration is provided. The method for sealing a substrate against water penetration comprises steps of

-   -   applying a layer of adhesive on the surface of the substrate,     -   covering the layer of the adhesive with a membrane of the         present invention such that the first surface of the contact         layer S2 or the second surface of the second contact layer S2′         is brought in contact with the layer of adhesive, and     -   hardening the layer of adhesive.

The adhesive can be a fresh cementitious composition or a synthetic resin based adhesive such as epoxy based two-component adhesive or EVA-based adhesive, preferably a fresh cementitious composition, particularly a fresh concrete or shotcrete composition.

According to one embodiment, the method for sealing a substrate against water penetration comprises steps of

-   -   applying a layer of adhesive on the first surface of a contact         layer S2 or on the second surface of a second contact layer S2′,     -   covering surface of the substrate with the membrane of the         present invention such that the layer of adhesive is brought in         contact with surface of the substrate, and     -   hardening the layer of adhesive.

The adhesive can be a fresh cementitious composition or a synthetic resin based adhesive such as epoxy based two-component adhesive or EVA-based adhesive, preferably a fresh cementitious composition, particularly a fresh concrete or shotcrete composition.

In another aspect of the present invention a sealed construction for sealing a substrate against water penetration is provided. The sealed construction comprises a membrane according to the present invention and a layer of adhesive arranged between a surface of the substrate and the membrane such that the first surface of the first contact layer S2 or the second surface of the second contact layer S2′ is bonded to the surface of the substrate with the layer of adhesive.

The adhesive can be a fresh cementitious composition or a synthetic resin based adhesive such as epoxy based two-component adhesive or EVA-based adhesive, preferably a fresh cementitious composition, particularly a fresh concrete or shotcrete composition.

It has been found that subjecting the contact layer to a washing step before contacting it with a fresh cementitious composition has a positive effect on the adhesion strength especially in case that the amount of the surfactant component SF/SF′ in the contact layer S2/S2′ is near the upper limit of the preferable range.

EXAMPLES

The materials shown in Table 1 were used in the experiments.

TABLE 1 Materials used in the experiments E-Modulus [Mpa] Polymers EVA copolymer with 28 wt.- Elvax ® 265A DuPont 19 % vinyl acetate EVA copolymer with 40 wt.- Levapreen ® 400 Lanxess 4.5 % vinyl acetate Ethylene-propylene Hifax ® CA 212 Basell 80 copolymer with ca. 20 wt.- % ethylene Ethylene-propylene Vistamaxx ® 6202 ExxonMobil 10 copolymer with 16 wt.-% ethylene Cement CEMI/42.5 cement Normo ® 4 LafargeHolcim Surfactants Glycerol monostearate Dimodan ® HP Danisco Polyether-modified Tegostab ® B8870 Evonik polysiloxan Anionic compound Loxiol ® 93P Emery Oleochemicals Ionic compound Zetasphere ® 3700 AirProducts Poly carboxylate ether Viscocrete ® PC-2 Sika ^(a)EVA, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ^(c)E-modulus measured according to ISO 527-3 standard at a temperature of 23° C.

Preparation of the Example Membranes

For each example membrane (EX1-EX16), a contact layer (E) was first produced by hot-pressing from a homogenized melt comprising the components of the respective contact layer.

The homogeneous melt of the contact layer was obtained by melt-homogenizing a composition comprising the components of the contact layer on a two-roll mill (from Labtech Engineering). The melt-homogenizing was conducted at a temperature, which is approximately 30° C. above the melting temperature of the polymer component. Sheets with a thickness of approximately 1 mm were subsequently pressed from the homogeneous melt using a hot press. The temperature of the material during pressing was kept approximately 30° C. above the melting temperature of the polymer component.

Finally, the example membranes were produced by laminating each contact layer onto a polyethylene-based barrier layer (WP 1210-06-H available from Sika) in a hot press.

The compositions and Young's modulus measured at a temperature of 23° C. of the contact layers (E) for the example membranes EX1-EX16 are presented in Tables 2 and 3.

Preparation of the Concrete Test Specimen

Three sample membranes with a dimension of 159 mm (length)×39 mm (width) were cut from each of the example membranes EX1-EX16 produced as described above. The sample membranes were placed into formworks having a dimension of 160 mm (length)×45 mm (width)×30 mm (height) with the contact layer facing upwards and the thermoplastic barrier layer against the bottom of the formwork.

One edge of each sample membrane on the side of the contact layer was covered with an adhesive tape having a length of 50 mm and a width coinciding with the width of the membrane sample to prevent adhesion to the hardened concrete. The adhesive tapes were used to provide easier installation of the test specimens to the peel resistance testing apparatus.

For the preparation of concrete test specimens a batch of fresh concrete formulation was prepared. The fresh concrete formulation was obtained by blending 46.3 wt.-% sand having a particle size of 0-1 mm, 7.1 wt.-% Nekafill-15 (from KFN) (limestone filler), 32.1 wt.-% OEM I 42.5 N cement (Holcim Normo 4), 14.3 wt.-% water and 0.2 wt.-% Viscocrete® PC 2 solution. The dry components were mixed and homogenized for 2 minutes in a tumbling mixer. After adding water and Viscocrete® solution the concrete mixture was homogenized for 5 minutes in a cement mixer.

The formworks containing the sample membranes were subsequently filled with the fresh concrete formulation and vibrated for 30 seconds to release the entrapped air. After hardening for one day the test concrete specimens were stripped from the formworks and stored at humid atmosphere (temperature 23° C., relative air humidity 100%) before measuring the peel resistances.

Measurement of Peel Resistances

The measurement for peel resistances of sample membranes from hardened concrete specimen was conducted in accordance with the procedure laid out in the standard DIN EN 1372:2015-06. A peel resistance testing apparatus fulfilling the requirements of the DIN EN 1372:2015 standard was used for conducting the peel resistance measurements.

For the peel resistance measurements, a concrete specimen was clamped with the upper grip of the material testing apparatus for a length of 10 mm at the end of the concrete specimen comprising the taped section of the sample membrane. Following, the sample membrane was peeled off from the surface of the concrete specimen at a peeling angle of 90° and at a constant cross beam speed of 100 mm/min. The peeling of the sample membrane was continued until the entire sample membrane was peeled off from the surface of the concrete specimen. The values for peel resistance were calculated as average peel force [N/50 mm] during peeling over a length of approximately 70 mm thus excluding the first and last quarter of the total peeling length from the calculation.

The average peel resistance values for example membranes EX1-EX16 presented in Tables 2 and 3 have been calculated as an average of measured values obtained with three sample membranes cut from the same example membrane.

TABLE 2 Compositions of the contact layers and measured peel resistances for test membranes EX1-EX8 Contact layer EX1 EX2 EX3 EX4 EX5 EX6 EX7 EX8 Polymer component Elvax 260 A [wt.-%] 25 13 8.7 4.3 6.3 7.7 7.0 6.3 Levapreen 400 [wt.-%] 4.3 8.7 12.7 15.3 14 12.7 Young's modulus [MPa] 19 19 13 8 13 13 13 13 Mineral binder component Holcim Normo 4 [wt.-%] 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 Surfactant component Dimodan HP [wt.-%] 0 10 10 10 4 Loxiol 93P [wt.-%] 2 4 Viscocrete ® PC 2 [wt.-%] 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 7 days [N/50 mm] 0 20 31 38 16 11 37 0 28 days [N/50 mm] 0 38 25 34 11 19 33 9 56 days [N/50 mm] 0 30 41 39 25 15 100 15

TABLE 3 Compositions of the contact layers and measured peel resistances for test membranes EX9-EX16 Contact layer EX9 EX10 EX11 EX12 EX13 EX14 EX15 EX16 Polymer component Hifax CA212 [wt.-%] 25 17 17 11 Vistamaxx 6202 [wt.-%] 24 24 23 22 Young's modulus [MPa] n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a n.a Mineral binder component Holcim Normo 4 [wt.-%] 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 Surfactant component Tegastab B8870 [wt.-%] 0 4 Zetasphere 3700 [wt.-%] 4 10 0.5 0.5 1 1 Viscocrete ® PC 2 [wt.-%] 0 4 4 4 0.5 1 1 2 7 days [N/50 mm] 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 28 days [N/50 mm] 0 0 6 5 2 1 2 17 

1. A membrane comprising a barrier layer having a first and a second opposing surface and a contact layer having a first and a second opposing surface, wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the barrier layer and the second surface of the contact layer are directly bonded to each other, and wherein the barrier layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer component and the contact layer comprises a mixture of a mineral binder component, a thermoplastic polymer component, and a surfactant component, and wherein the amount of the mineral binder component is 10.0-90.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the contact layer.
 2. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the contact layer comprises not more than 3.0 wt. % of hydrated mineral binders, based on the total weight of the contact layer.
 3. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the mineral binder component is 20.0-85.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the contact layer.
 4. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has a concrete adhesion strength, determined by means of the method cited in the description, of at least 5 N/50 mm.
 5. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the mineral binder component comprises at least one mineral binder selected from the group consisting of hydraulic binders, non-hydraulic binders, latent hydraulic binders, puzzolanic binders, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant component comprises at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric, and polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The membrane according to claim 6, wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of glycerol monostearates, polycarboxylate ethers, polyether-modified polysiloxanes, polyalkylene oxide siloxanes, hydroxyethyl amines, erucamides, stearyl stearamides, alkali metal alkanesulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the surfactant component is 0.1-15.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the contact layer.
 9. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the thermoplastic polymer component is 20.0-85.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the contact layer, and wherein the thermoplastic polymer component comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, ethylene-α-olefin co-polymers, ethylene-propylene co-polymers, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyamides (PA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), polyisobutylene (PIB) and mixtures thereof.
 10. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer component is miscible.
 11. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the contact layer has a thickness of 0.1-50.0 mm.
 12. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the membrane further comprises a second contact layer having a first surface and a second opposing surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second surface of the barrier layer and the first surface of the contact layer are directly bonded to each other, and wherein the second contact layer comprises a mixture of a mineral binder component, a thermoplastic polymer component, and a surfactant component.
 13. A method for producing a membrane according to claim 1 comprising extruding and/or calendering and/or co-extruding a homogenized melt comprising the components of the barrier layer, a homogenized melt comprising the components of the contact layer, and optionally a homogenized melt comprising the components of a second contact layer.
 14. A method for waterproofing a substrate, the method comprising the steps of applying a membrane according to claim 1 to a surface of a substrate such that the second surface of the barrier layer is directed against the surface of the substrate, casting a fresh cementitious composition on the first surface of the contact layer, and hardening the fresh cementitious composition.
 15. A waterproofed construction comprising a layer of concrete and a membrane according to claim 1 arranged between a surface of a substrate and the layer of concrete such that the second surface of the barrier layer is directed against the surface of the substrate and the first surface of the contact layer is fully bonded to the layer of concrete.
 16. A method for sealing a substrate against water penetration, the method comprising the steps of applying a layer of adhesive on the surface of the substrate, covering the layer of the adhesive with a membrane according to claim 1 such that first surface of the first contact layer or the second surface of the second contact layer is brought in contact with the layer of adhesive, and hardening the layer of adhesive.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the adhesive is a fresh cementitious composition or a synthetic resin composition.
 18. A sealed construction comprising a membrane according to claim 1 and a layer of adhesive arranged between a surface of a substrate and the membrane such that the first surface of the first contact layer or the second surface of the second contact layer is bonded to the surface of the substrate with the layer of adhesive. 